PRINTER'S NO. 2233
No. 272 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY JUBELIRER, BRIGHTBILL AND MELLOW,
SEPTEMBER 24, 2002
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 24, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Expressing condolences on the passing of the Honorable Clarence
2 D. Bell, member of the Senate of Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Senator Clarence D. Bell, a true icon of
4 Pennsylvania politics, died on July 26, 2002; and
5 WHEREAS, In 1954 Senator Bell was elected to the first of
6 three terms in the House of Representatives where he represented
7 the Third District of Delaware County; and
8 WHEREAS, In 1960 Senator Bell was successful in what was to
9 be the first of 12 consecutive elections to represent the Ninth
10 Senatorial District consisting initially of all of Delaware
11 County and currently of parts of Delaware and Chester Counties;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, Senator Bell, who for many years has been referred
14 to as the Dean of the Senate, served as a member of the General
15 Assembly longer than any other person in the history of the
16 Commonwealth; and
17 WHEREAS, Senator Bell enjoyed longer continuous service as a
1 member of the General Assembly than any other person in the
2 United States who is serving as a State legislator; and
3 WHEREAS, Senator Bell served in many and varied positions in
4 the Senate during his unique tenure; and
5 WHEREAS, Senator Bell, the proud veteran, was long a part of
6 the Pennsylvania National Guard where he attained the rank of
7 Major General; and
8 WHEREAS, Senator Bell was a tenacious and outspoken advocate
9 for his "neighbors," as he affectionately called his
10 constituents in Delaware and Chester Counties; and
11 WHEREAS, Senator Bell generously shared his insights with his
12 colleagues - always courteous, always candid, always the model
13 "country lawyer"; and
14 WHEREAS, His encyclopedic knowledge of Pennsylvania law and
15 his unmatched institutional memory made his point of view
16 invaluable to his caucus and the entire membership of the
17 Senate; and
18 WHEREAS, His natural independence was tempered by his
19 thorough understanding of the realities of the process of
20 governing; and
21 WHEREAS, His keen wit, his wisdom and his passion to serve
22 will be sorely missed; therefore be it
23 RESOLVED, That the Senate express its profound sorrow over
24 the loss of this remarkable gentleman; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the Senate express its gratitude for the
26 service rendered, lessons imparted and friendship shared; and be
27 it further
28 RESOLVED, That the Senate extend its condolences to the
29 family of its cherished colleague, the Honorable Clarence D.
30 Bell, and direct that copies of this resolution be presented to
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1 his family.
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